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Hereditary angioedema associated with pancreatitis
A F Cutler1, E A Yousif, M L Blumenkehl
1Department of Gastroenterology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI.
Southern Medical Journal
|November 1, 1992
Summary
Hereditary angioedema, a condition causing swelling, may lead to recurrent pancreatitis. This study suggests a link between C1q esterase inhibitor deficiency and pancreatitis, possibly due to pancreatic swelling.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- C1q esterase inhibitor deficiency is a rare genetic disorder.
- Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is characterized by recurrent episodes of swelling.
- The link between HAE and pancreatitis is not well-established.
Observation:
- A 44-year-old woman with C1q esterase inhibitor deficiency presented with recurrent right upper quadrant abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and peripheral edema.
- Initial investigations for her symptoms were inconclusive.
- The patient later developed intermittent elevations in amylase and lipase, leading to a diagnosis of relapsing pancreatitis.
Findings:
- The patient's recurrent acute pancreatitis was associated with her hereditary angioedema.
- Possible mechanisms include intermittent intrapancreatic edema causing partial ductal obstruction.
- Another proposed mechanism is the loss of inhibition on the kallikrein-kinin system.
Implications:
- This case highlights a potential association between hereditary angioedema and pancreatitis.
- Understanding this link may improve diagnostic approaches for patients with unexplained pancreatitis.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the pathogenesis and clinical significance of this association.